Rehabbing Taylor Guerrieri eager to return

by Scott White | Senior Fantasy Writer

(9/22/14) Rays starting pitcher Taylor Guerrieri, who had Tommy John surgery in July 2013, should be recovered for the start of spring training, according to MLB.com, and is ready to get back to being one of the organization's top prospects after a season that was marred by both the injury and a 50-game suspension for a second positive test for a drug of abuse.

"I want to stay healthy," Guerrieri said. "I never want to go through this process again. And I've made great strides in my work ethic, my personality, too. Being injured will definitely humble you. All around, I would say it's a good thing that it happened."

Guerrieri, the 24th overall pick in the 2011, was brilliant in his first stint with the Rays in 2012, compiling a 1.04 ERA, 0.77 WHIP and 7.8 strikeouts per nine innings in 12 starts for short-season Class A Hudson Valley. He wasn't quite as dominant before the injury was discovered in 2013, but he still managed a 2.01 ERA in 14 starts for low Class A Bowling Green.

In five starts rehabilitating at Rookie ball this year, he didn't allow an earned run, striking out 10 in 9 1/3 innings.

Taylor Guerrieri plays catch for first time since elbow surgery

by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(1/13/14) Rays starting pitcher prospect Taylor Guerrieri posted on Twitter he played catch Monday for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery in July. Guerrieri tweeted he was "throwing noise" from 30 feet.

Taylor Guerrieri suspended 50 games

Guerrieri, who was considered the top pitching prospect in the Rays system by many, underwent Tommy John surgery in July and is not expected back until July of 2014. He will begin his suspension once he is fully recovered. He finished 6-2 with a 2.01 ERA in 14 starts for high Class A Bowling Green in 2013.

Rays prospect Taylor Guerrieri undergoes Tommy John surgery

The 20-year-old Guerrieri was considered the top pitching prospect in the Rays system by many; both MLB.com and Baseball America ranked him as a top-100 prospect prior to the season. He posted a 2.01 ERA in 14 starts for high Class A Bowling Green. The surgery is expected to cost him a full calendar year.